Program Overview

Religion (B.A.) Program

The Religion (B.A.) program is offered by the Philosophy and Religion department. The program requires 30 hours of coursework.

Program Requirements

• RELIG 015 World Religions | 3 hours
• RELIG 020 Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 hours
• RELIG 021 Introduction to the New Testament or RELIG 099 New Testament Greek II | 3 hours
• RELIG 124 Understanding Religion | 3 hours
• RELIG 212 Life and Letters of Paul or RELIG 213 Life and Teachings of Jesus | 3 hours
• RELIG 226 Christian Theology from the Enlightenment to the Mid-Twentieth Century | 3 hours
• RELIG 227 Religious Studies from the Mid-Twentieth Century to the Present | 3 hours
• Religion Electives | 6 hours
• Senior Comprehensive: RELIG 299 Senior Thesis | 3 hours

Course Descriptions

RELIG 015 World Religions

This course is a study of the cultural settings, lives of founders when appropriate, oral or written traditions and literature, worldviews, myths, rituals, ideals of conduct, and development of some of the world's religions. Religions studied will typically include tribal religions, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, and Bahai.

RELIG 020 Introduction to the Old Testament

A survey of the contents of the Jewish Bible/Christian Old Testament. These texts will be studied as they developed within the unfolding history of the Hebrew people in relationship to other nations and cultures of the ancient Near East from about 1200 B.C.E. - 150 B.C.E. Emphasis will be placed upon the literary, historical, and theological issues presented by these ancient texts.

RELIG 021 Introduction to the New Testament

A survey of the contents of the Christian New Testament. These texts will be studied within the context of the unfolding history of the earliest Christian community as it sought to relate to the Hellenistic-Jewish culture, which gave it birth. Emphasis will be placed upon the literary, historical, and theological issues presented by these ancient texts.

RELIG 099 New Testament Greek II

A continuation of Religion 98. More elements of Greek syntax, the standard reference works, and the basic methods for the study of the Greek New Testament will be introduced. Representative texts from the entire Greek New Testament will be used for translation assignments.

• Prerequisite(s): RELIG 098 New Testament Greek I or permission of the instructor.

RELIG 124 Understanding Religion

An inquiry into the meaning and function of religion through a comparison of different religious traditions. Students will discuss how the different traditions understand the divine, worship, and scripture. Emphasis will be placed on the development of the students' own perspective on religion and the ability to express this perspective clearly and effectively.

RELIG 212 Life and Letters of Paul

A study of Pauline literature, Paul's interpretation of Jesus, and his work as missionary to the Gentiles. The Pauline Epistles are primary sources. Some contemporary analyses of Pauline thought and its importance for the contemporary situation will be emphasized.

RELIG 213 Life and Teachings of Jesus

A discussion of the sources used in the attempt to write the life of Jesus.

RELIG 226 Christian Theology from the Enlightenment to the Mid-Twentieth Century

This course examines the beginnings of modern theological reflection, following the Reformation, and moves forward, following historical developments in Christian theology, into the first half of the twentieth century. The impact of the Enlightenment on theology characterizes the first third of the course. The rise of nineteenth century liberal theology and varied responses to it characterize the second, while the last third of the course takes up neo-orthodoxy, process, and secular theologies.

RELIG 227 Religious Studies from the Mid-Twentieth Century to the Present

This course is an examination of movements in theology and religious studies from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant theologians and other contemporary scholars of religion will be considered. Topics to be covered will include theological responses to the holocaust, the modern state of Israel, the debate over the historical Jesus, liberation theologies, and the place of theological and religious scholarship in both the academy and society.

RELIG 299 Senior Thesis

Every religion major is required to write a senior research paper dealing with a topic selected by the student in consultation with any member of the department.

• Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and approval of the department chair.